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Ventura: Political parties no better than gangs
Topic Started: Jun 15 2012, 03:24 PM (238 Views)
brenda
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..............
Oh, yes, I'm sure you will all want to read his new book.

Quote:
 
Former governor includes his latest views in new book
By Heather J. Carlson

In his latest book, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura says the nation’s two political parties are no better than street gangs.
“I actually think the parties are worse,” Ventura said in an interview on Thursday. “The street gangs only affect a tiny majority of people in the United States of America — only where the gangs are operated. The Democrats and Republicans affect every citizen in the whole country.”
Ventura will be at the Barnes & Noble at Rochester’s Apache Mall at 7 p.m. Monday to sign copies of his new book “DemoCRIPS and ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government.”

Special interests
The former Reform Party governor has always been an outspoken critic of the two political parties. But since leaving office 10 years ago, his contempt for the parties has grown.

“I am outraged at what is happening to this country as a result of the Democrats and the Republicans. They have turned our entire political system into bribery,” he said.

In essence, he said, both political parties are bought and paid for by special interests, with corporations, lobbyists and wealthy donors calling the shots. Like gangs, he said, both parties are focused on defending their turf. Individuals within the parties work their way up the ranks and all decisions are made within the party — traits also found in gangs.

Lastly, he said, Democrats and Republicans even favor the same colors as street gangs. Democrats identify with the color blue favored by the Crips and Republicans opt for
red like the Bloods. Ventura’s the first to admit his comparison of political
parties to gangs might seem extreme.

“You’ve got to do something outrageous to get people’s attention and pick up the book,” he said.

Since leaving the governor’s mansion, Ventura hasn’t shied away from the public spotlight. He is the host and executive producer of TruTV’s “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura,” and he has written several books. This is his fourth collaboration with author Dick Russell,
who worked with Ventura on “Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me” and “63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read.”

Third parties
While it’s no surprise to see Ventura ripping Republicans and Democrats, the former governor says he can no longer support third parties. That might seem strange coming
from someone who pulled off a surprise gubernatorial victory in 1998 running as a third party candidate. But Ventura says he has concluded that a third party can be successful
only by following in the footsteps of the two major parties.

“They would have to become as corrupt as these two parties in order to compete,” he said. “It’s already a two-headed monster. Why would we want a three-headed or four-headed one?”

In large part, he blames the mainstream media for the inability of third party candidates to compete because they do not give them the same coverage. Initially, he said, he was excited about the potential of the Tea Party movement and its emphasis on adhering to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But since then, he said, the Tea Party has been “snorting Koch” — as in oil industry billionaires Charles and David Koch. He said the Koch brothers are the big money behind the movement.

He sees plenty of potential with the Occupy Wall Street movement and its emphasis on bringing attention to how the richest 1 percent control government. He makes the
case that all Americans, whether they agree with the Occupiers or not, should support them because the government is trying to prevent them from exercising free speech.

“I find the hypocrisy unbelievable,” he said. “Our government cheers all the demonstrations in the Middle East while at the same time squashes any of them back home.”

Ventura is a big fan of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul and his willingness to buck his own party. In the book, Ventura says he would c o n s i d e r being Paul’s running mate if the Texas c o n g r e s sman left the Republican Party. But with Paul appearing unwilling to do that, V e n t u r a says he has since thrown his support behind Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson. Ventura said Johnson asked him to be his running mate but that he turned him down because he wanted to head back to Mexico, where he lives for much of the year.

What he wants
So what changes would Ventura like to see? First off, he said he would like to see presidential candidates and those running for statewide office be required to wear NASCAR uniforms with patches showing the names of their biggest donors.

“That way we can judge well who now is going to get taken care of,” he said.

He also wants to no longer allow candidates to have their party affiliation listed next to them on the ballot. That way, he said, voters would have to find out more about the candidates instead of just looking to see if they are an R or a D. Ventura acknowledges the proposals are unlikely. He said any hope for changes in the parties rests with voters.

“The only way they are going to reform themselves is if the people rise up at the voting booth and don’t vote for Democrats or Republicans,” he said.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
Fine ex-governor you have there, Brenda. :)
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Actually, I don't think his comparison of political parties to street gangs is off the mark, or over the top, at all. And other than the NASCAR uniform thing, there's very little that he says in that article I disagree with.
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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brenda
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..............
jon-nyc
Jun 15 2012, 04:24 PM
Fine ex-governor you have there, Brenda. :)
I met the man on several occasions. We didn't really like each other. I ticked him off at the Governor's mansion during a meeting.

Golly, I am so glad I did that. No regrets at all for that one. :lol2:
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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brenda
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Dewey
Jun 15 2012, 05:31 PM
Actually, I don't think his comparison of political parties to street gangs is off the mark, or over the top, at all. And other than the NASCAR uniform thing, there's very little that he says in that article I disagree with.
Including his offer to run as VP for Ron Paul or the Libertarian? Well, those are certainly interesting options. ;)
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Oh, don't get me wrong - Jesse Ventura is a grade A fruitcake. But you know what they say about even a blind pig... ^_^
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
A Philly station interviewed him a few day's ago. The host
practically called him an idiot. Ventura is into our Government
was behind 9-11. And every war we ever fought was started by a plot by our Govt.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Oh yeah -

Posted Image
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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Copper
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Shortstop
brenda
Jun 15 2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:
 
So what changes would Ventura like to see? First off, he said he would like to see presidential candidates and those running for statewide office be required to wear NASCAR uniforms with patches showing the names of their biggest donors.

“That way we can judge well who now is going to get taken care of,” he said.

He also wants to no longer allow candidates to have their party affiliation listed next to them on the ballot. That way, he said, voters would have to find out more about the candidates instead of just looking to see if they are an R or a D. Ventura acknowledges the proposals are unlikely. He said any hope for changes in the parties rests with voters.

“The only way they are going to reform themselves is if the people rise up at the voting booth and don’t vote for Democrats or Republicans,” he said.

I really have high hopes for the next four months.

I hope Mr. Ventura is just the tip of the iceberg.

Guys like him invite people to participate and think about what's going on.

NASCAR uniforms - genius!
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
Dewey
Jun 15 2012, 05:31 PM
Actually, I don't think his comparison of political parties to street gangs is off the mark, or over the top, at all. And other than the NASCAR uniform thing, there's very little that he says in that article I disagree with.
+1.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
I don't see what the problem with the NASCAR uniforms is. They wouldn't look any more ridiculous than attempting to look like one of the guys by wearing mom jeans, and it would actually communicate something useful to the voters they are trying to win over.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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brenda
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Jesse always gets people talking. And, yes, he gets people involved, if only to oppose him. :lol:
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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